That was a wasted second-round pick by the Mets. Dorf's heart belonged to a different sport.
Challenge: Name every Mets SECOND round draft pick
Re: Challenge: Name every Mets SECOND round draft pick
Got my hair cut correct like Anthony Mason
Re: Challenge: Name every Mets SECOND round draft pick
Getting closer. I'm Bettin' Dorf is a German surname, what say you?
Re: Challenge: Name every Mets SECOND round draft pick
Going back to Scott Servais.
Later
Later
“The measure of a man is what he does with power”- Plato
Apparently one did. He can't get away from the tell.
I have never insulted anyone. I simply describe them, accurately.
Apparently one did. He can't get away from the tell.
I have never insulted anyone. I simply describe them, accurately.
Re: Challenge: Name every Mets SECOND round draft pick
Scott Servais is correct!
While we wait for that last hint to potentially get answered, here's a new one:
This player, born October 7, 1994, in Las Vegas, Nevada, was a right-handed pitcher drafted by the New York Mets in the second round (48th overall) of the 2013 MLB June Amateur Draft from Basic High School in Henderson, Nevada. Standing 6'2" and weighing 200 pounds, he played in the minor and independent leagues, with a career spanning 2013 to 2022. Over seven affiliated minor league seasons, he recorded a 30-33 win-loss record, a 4.83 ERA, and 308 strikeouts over 454.2 innings pitched across 87 games, 78 of which were starts. His best season was 2016, posting a 7-4 record with a 2.92 ERA across three teams. This player faced recurring injuries, landing on the 7-day injured list multiple times, including in 2019 and 2022. His career included stints with various Mets affiliates, such as the GCL Mets, Kingsport Mets, Brooklyn Cyclones, Columbia Fireflies, St. Lucie Mets, Binghamton Rumble Ponies, and Syracuse Mets, as well as a brief time with the Atlanta Braves’ Gwinnett Stripers in 2022. He also played independently for the High Point Rockers in 2022, going 3-0 with a 3.27 ERA. This player was released by the St. Lucie Mets in 2020 and the Gwinnett Stripers in 2022. He briefly retired in 2018 but returned to play. His pitching stats show a 1.42 WHIP and a 2.96 strikeout-to-walk ratio in the affiliated minors, with limited batting contributions.
While we wait for that last hint to potentially get answered, here's a new one:
This player, born October 7, 1994, in Las Vegas, Nevada, was a right-handed pitcher drafted by the New York Mets in the second round (48th overall) of the 2013 MLB June Amateur Draft from Basic High School in Henderson, Nevada. Standing 6'2" and weighing 200 pounds, he played in the minor and independent leagues, with a career spanning 2013 to 2022. Over seven affiliated minor league seasons, he recorded a 30-33 win-loss record, a 4.83 ERA, and 308 strikeouts over 454.2 innings pitched across 87 games, 78 of which were starts. His best season was 2016, posting a 7-4 record with a 2.92 ERA across three teams. This player faced recurring injuries, landing on the 7-day injured list multiple times, including in 2019 and 2022. His career included stints with various Mets affiliates, such as the GCL Mets, Kingsport Mets, Brooklyn Cyclones, Columbia Fireflies, St. Lucie Mets, Binghamton Rumble Ponies, and Syracuse Mets, as well as a brief time with the Atlanta Braves’ Gwinnett Stripers in 2022. He also played independently for the High Point Rockers in 2022, going 3-0 with a 3.27 ERA. This player was released by the St. Lucie Mets in 2020 and the Gwinnett Stripers in 2022. He briefly retired in 2018 but returned to play. His pitching stats show a 1.42 WHIP and a 2.96 strikeout-to-walk ratio in the affiliated minors, with limited batting contributions.
Last edited by Cowtipper on Sun Apr 20, 2025 9:07 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Challenge: Name every Mets SECOND round draft pick
That kinda' tracks with the career of second round pick Tom Engle, but Engle preceded that guy.
Later
Later
“The measure of a man is what he does with power”- Plato
Apparently one did. He can't get away from the tell.
I have never insulted anyone. I simply describe them, accurately.
Apparently one did. He can't get away from the tell.
I have never insulted anyone. I simply describe them, accurately.
Re: Challenge: Name every Mets SECOND round draft pick
Engle is correct! You might have to go to Church and pray to find the answer to the most recent hint.
Re: Challenge: Name every Mets SECOND round draft pick
Today's hint:
This player is an American professional baseball pitcher known for his international career and success across various leagues. Drafted by the New York Mets in 2012 out of Fort Worth Christian School, he opted not to sign, instead attending Seminole State College. He was later selected in the second round of the 2013 MLB Draft by the Boston Red Sox, where he advanced as far as Triple-A, compiling solid minor league stats but never breaking into the major leagues.
After his release in 2019, this player's career became international. He briefly signed with the Toros de Tijuana in 2020, but the season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He then joined the Uni-President Lions in Taiwan’s CPBL, going undefeated in 2020 and helping lead them to a Taiwan Series title. He returned in 2021, dominating with a 1.07 ERA before leaving mid-season to represent Mexico, through his maternal heritage, at the Tokyo Olympics.
He has had multiple stints with the Toros de Tijuana, brief time with the CTBC Brothers in Taiwan, and played in the Cincinnati Reds' minor league system in 2023. In 2024, he also joined the Wei Chuan Dragons in the CPBL before returning to the Toros again in 2025. Throughout his career, he has been recognized for his resilience and adaptability, pitching effectively across the United States, Mexico, and Taiwan. Despite being born without a right pectoral muscle and being involved in a fatal traffic accident in 2014, this player has continued to pursue his baseball career with determination and professionalism.
Despite his unique last name, he is not related to the major leaguer he shares it with, Andy, who played in the majors in the 1990s.
Also, another poem for a previously unanswered hint:
This player, born December 13, 1975, in Belton, South Carolina, is a former Major League Baseball catcher, first baseman, and designated hitter. He played eight seasons in the majors, primarily with the Minnesota Twins, and later with the Washington Nationals. Known more for his power hitting than defensive skills, he hit 60 home runs in 472 games and was notably the active player with the most plate appearances without a stolen base during his career.
A standout at Clemson University, this player represented the U.S. in international play, winning a bronze medal at the 1996 Olympics and silver at the 1999 Pan American Games. Drafted by the Twins in 1997, he put up strong minor league numbers, but defensive struggles limited his role in the majors. His best MLB seasons came in 2003 and 2005, when he posted solid offensive numbers as a DH.
This player joined the Nationals in 2006, a season marked by a tough moment in which he was removed mid-game as a catcher after struggling with multiple stolen bases allowed and errors, prompting an emotional press conference by manager Frank Robinson. He returned to the Twins briefly in 2007 and later played in the independent Atlantic League before retiring.
Transitioning into coaching, this player joined the Nationals' minor league system in 2009, managing at several levels including Hagerstown, Potomac, Harrisburg, and currently Rochester. He also served as the Nationals’ bullpen coach in 2014–2015. this player lives with his wife Holly and their five children.
From Belton town where dreams take flight,
A boy with power, broad and bright,
He caught and swung with southern grace,
A future star in cleated pace.
Clemson called, and he replied,
Olympic bronze, with hometown pride.
A Pan Am swing, a double scored—
America cheered and roared and roared.
The Twins came calling in '97,
A first-round bet on future heaven.
Though passed balls plagued behind the mask,
His bat could always do the task.
A slugger’s soul, no base to steal,
But strength that every fan could feel.
Seventeen homers in '03’s book,
Each one a shot, each swing it took.
A walk-off slam, the crowd ablaze,
In twilight games of summer days.
But defense drew a different tale—
And soon he took a different trail.
To D.C. next, his fate was cast,
A catcher’s role he’d not outlast.
Seven stolen, tears on display,
As Frank removed him mid-inning that day.
Yet grace endured, and so did grit,
In Triple-A, he’d never quit.
One final swing in Minnesota’s name,
Then coaching called and changed the game.
From Hagerstown’s low-A fight
To Red Wings soaring into night,
He shaped young arms and steady minds,
Through seasons long and roster grinds.
He never stole but earned respect,
With every job the Nats select.
Behind the scenes, through loss and joy—
A lifer still—____ _______.
This player is an American professional baseball pitcher known for his international career and success across various leagues. Drafted by the New York Mets in 2012 out of Fort Worth Christian School, he opted not to sign, instead attending Seminole State College. He was later selected in the second round of the 2013 MLB Draft by the Boston Red Sox, where he advanced as far as Triple-A, compiling solid minor league stats but never breaking into the major leagues.
After his release in 2019, this player's career became international. He briefly signed with the Toros de Tijuana in 2020, but the season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He then joined the Uni-President Lions in Taiwan’s CPBL, going undefeated in 2020 and helping lead them to a Taiwan Series title. He returned in 2021, dominating with a 1.07 ERA before leaving mid-season to represent Mexico, through his maternal heritage, at the Tokyo Olympics.
He has had multiple stints with the Toros de Tijuana, brief time with the CTBC Brothers in Taiwan, and played in the Cincinnati Reds' minor league system in 2023. In 2024, he also joined the Wei Chuan Dragons in the CPBL before returning to the Toros again in 2025. Throughout his career, he has been recognized for his resilience and adaptability, pitching effectively across the United States, Mexico, and Taiwan. Despite being born without a right pectoral muscle and being involved in a fatal traffic accident in 2014, this player has continued to pursue his baseball career with determination and professionalism.
Despite his unique last name, he is not related to the major leaguer he shares it with, Andy, who played in the majors in the 1990s.
Also, another poem for a previously unanswered hint:
This player, born December 13, 1975, in Belton, South Carolina, is a former Major League Baseball catcher, first baseman, and designated hitter. He played eight seasons in the majors, primarily with the Minnesota Twins, and later with the Washington Nationals. Known more for his power hitting than defensive skills, he hit 60 home runs in 472 games and was notably the active player with the most plate appearances without a stolen base during his career.
A standout at Clemson University, this player represented the U.S. in international play, winning a bronze medal at the 1996 Olympics and silver at the 1999 Pan American Games. Drafted by the Twins in 1997, he put up strong minor league numbers, but defensive struggles limited his role in the majors. His best MLB seasons came in 2003 and 2005, when he posted solid offensive numbers as a DH.
This player joined the Nationals in 2006, a season marked by a tough moment in which he was removed mid-game as a catcher after struggling with multiple stolen bases allowed and errors, prompting an emotional press conference by manager Frank Robinson. He returned to the Twins briefly in 2007 and later played in the independent Atlantic League before retiring.
Transitioning into coaching, this player joined the Nationals' minor league system in 2009, managing at several levels including Hagerstown, Potomac, Harrisburg, and currently Rochester. He also served as the Nationals’ bullpen coach in 2014–2015. this player lives with his wife Holly and their five children.
From Belton town where dreams take flight,
A boy with power, broad and bright,
He caught and swung with southern grace,
A future star in cleated pace.
Clemson called, and he replied,
Olympic bronze, with hometown pride.
A Pan Am swing, a double scored—
America cheered and roared and roared.
The Twins came calling in '97,
A first-round bet on future heaven.
Though passed balls plagued behind the mask,
His bat could always do the task.
A slugger’s soul, no base to steal,
But strength that every fan could feel.
Seventeen homers in '03’s book,
Each one a shot, each swing it took.
A walk-off slam, the crowd ablaze,
In twilight games of summer days.
But defense drew a different tale—
And soon he took a different trail.
To D.C. next, his fate was cast,
A catcher’s role he’d not outlast.
Seven stolen, tears on display,
As Frank removed him mid-inning that day.
Yet grace endured, and so did grit,
In Triple-A, he’d never quit.
One final swing in Minnesota’s name,
Then coaching called and changed the game.
From Hagerstown’s low-A fight
To Red Wings soaring into night,
He shaped young arms and steady minds,
Through seasons long and roster grinds.
He never stole but earned respect,
With every job the Nats select.
Behind the scenes, through loss and joy—
A lifer still—____ _______.
Re: Challenge: Name every Mets SECOND round draft pick
Matt LeCroy.
Later
“The measure of a man is what he does with power”- Plato
Apparently one did. He can't get away from the tell.
I have never insulted anyone. I simply describe them, accurately.
Apparently one did. He can't get away from the tell.
I have never insulted anyone. I simply describe them, accurately.
Re: Challenge: Name every Mets SECOND round draft pick
Matt LeCroy is correct!
Another hint:
This player, born April 4, 1990, in Dorado, Puerto Rico, is a former professional baseball outfielder who played in the New York Mets' minor league system from 2008 to 2011. Selected in the second round (68th overall) of the 2008 MLB June Amateur Draft from Puerto Rico Baseball Academy, he signed for $585,000. A right-handed batter and thrower, this player, at 6'2" and 165 pounds, was a lean, athletic prospect with speed, a strong arm, and projectable power, ranked as the Mets' #9 prospect by Baseball America post-draft in 2008. Scouts praised his bat speed, athletic frame, and graceful center field defense, likening his range to Carlos Beltran, though his long swing and tendency to lope down the basepaths were noted weaknesses.
This player debuted in 2008 with the GCL Mets, batting .193 with a .495 OPS in 38 games, a modest start attributed to his youth and athletic potential. In 2009, he improved slightly, hitting .230 with a .623 OPS in the GCL, while showing plus range in center field. By February 2009, analysts like Toby Hyde ranked him #15 among Mets prospects, citing his athleticism and defensive prowess, while World of Baseball listed him as Puerto Rico’s #7 prospect, noting his five-tool potential despite early struggles. His breakout came in 2010 with the Kingsport Mets, where he batted .319 with a .865 OPS, 15 doubles, four home runs, and 24 RBIs in 41 games, earning Appalachian League Player of the Week and Post-Season All-Star honors. Analysts lauded his progress, with some projecting a move to Low-A Savannah in 2011.
In 2011, this player played for the Savannah Sand Gnats and Brooklyn Cyclones, batting .245 with eight home runs and 47 RBIs across 93 games. However, his season was marred by inconsistency and a possible disciplinary issue, as he was sent to extended spring training mid-season before finishing in Brooklyn. Over four minor league seasons, he played 208 games, batting .248 with a .703 OPS, 15 home runs, 50 doubles, and 110 RBIs. He also appeared in four Puerto Rican Winter League games, hitting .125. Defensively, he posted a .965 fielding percentage across 194 minor league games, primarily in the outfield. Despite early hype as a top Mets prospect, this player was released by the Brooklyn Cyclones on March 28, 2012, ending his professional career.
Also, here's another poem for a previously unanswered hint:
This player was a right-handed outfielder who played parts of four MLB seasons between 1984 and 1988, appearing in 132 games with a .234 career batting average. Though his on-field career was modest, he played a part in two significant trades that helped shape the 1986 World Series. Originally drafted by the California Angels out of Troy High School, he opted to attend Cal State Fullerton before being selected by the New York Mets in the second round of the 1981 draft. After a strong showing in Triple-A in 1984, he debuted with the Mets later that year.
Following a decline in performance in 1985, this player was included in a trade to the Boston Red Sox that brought Bobby Ojeda to New York—Ojeda would go on to play a key role in the Mets' 1986 championship. this player spent 1986 in the minors before being sent to Seattle as part of the deal that brought Dave Henderson and Spike Owen to Boston, both of whom played key postseason roles.
He had brief stints with the Mariners and Twins, showing flashes of success in the minors but limited impact at the major league level. He retired after the 1989 season, having last played for the Portland Beavers. His brother, Jim, was also a professional player in the Twins’ system.
From Downey's sun to Titan pride,
He chose the books, let scouts decide.
Fullerton’s fields where dreamers grow,
A righty bat with power to show.
He rose with grit through minor lights,
A South Atlantic RBI knight.
In Tidewater’s tides, he made his stand,
A .313 swing, a call-up planned.
In ‘84 the Mets gave him the nod,
A taste of the Show, a grateful applaud.
Three RBIs, a spark, a glance—
Not fortune’s favorite, but given a chance.
Yet numbers dipped in eighty-five,
And soon a trade to keep dreams alive.
With Schiraldi, to Boston he flew,
Part of a deal the faithful still rue—
Ojeda shined in the World Series fray,
While he watched from Pawtucket’s gray.
Then Henderson came, another move,
And still his bat had more to prove.
In ‘87, he hit like flame,
Chattanooga knew his name.
But up with the M’s, it didn’t stick,
Baseball's gods can be cruel and quick.
One last stop in the Twin Cities' fold,
A .263 tale quietly told.
Portland’s dirt, one final stand,
Before he set the bat from his hand.
No headlines blazed, no Cooperstown,
But in every dugout, every town—
He wore the game like a second skin,
Win or lose, thick or thin.
A ballplayer’s heart, quiet and clean,
Part of trades that shaped a scene.
History whispered—not roared—in the wind...
And it whispered the name _____ ____________.
Another hint:
This player, born April 4, 1990, in Dorado, Puerto Rico, is a former professional baseball outfielder who played in the New York Mets' minor league system from 2008 to 2011. Selected in the second round (68th overall) of the 2008 MLB June Amateur Draft from Puerto Rico Baseball Academy, he signed for $585,000. A right-handed batter and thrower, this player, at 6'2" and 165 pounds, was a lean, athletic prospect with speed, a strong arm, and projectable power, ranked as the Mets' #9 prospect by Baseball America post-draft in 2008. Scouts praised his bat speed, athletic frame, and graceful center field defense, likening his range to Carlos Beltran, though his long swing and tendency to lope down the basepaths were noted weaknesses.
This player debuted in 2008 with the GCL Mets, batting .193 with a .495 OPS in 38 games, a modest start attributed to his youth and athletic potential. In 2009, he improved slightly, hitting .230 with a .623 OPS in the GCL, while showing plus range in center field. By February 2009, analysts like Toby Hyde ranked him #15 among Mets prospects, citing his athleticism and defensive prowess, while World of Baseball listed him as Puerto Rico’s #7 prospect, noting his five-tool potential despite early struggles. His breakout came in 2010 with the Kingsport Mets, where he batted .319 with a .865 OPS, 15 doubles, four home runs, and 24 RBIs in 41 games, earning Appalachian League Player of the Week and Post-Season All-Star honors. Analysts lauded his progress, with some projecting a move to Low-A Savannah in 2011.
In 2011, this player played for the Savannah Sand Gnats and Brooklyn Cyclones, batting .245 with eight home runs and 47 RBIs across 93 games. However, his season was marred by inconsistency and a possible disciplinary issue, as he was sent to extended spring training mid-season before finishing in Brooklyn. Over four minor league seasons, he played 208 games, batting .248 with a .703 OPS, 15 home runs, 50 doubles, and 110 RBIs. He also appeared in four Puerto Rican Winter League games, hitting .125. Defensively, he posted a .965 fielding percentage across 194 minor league games, primarily in the outfield. Despite early hype as a top Mets prospect, this player was released by the Brooklyn Cyclones on March 28, 2012, ending his professional career.
- Untitled.png (46.11 KiB) Viewed 178 times
This player was a right-handed outfielder who played parts of four MLB seasons between 1984 and 1988, appearing in 132 games with a .234 career batting average. Though his on-field career was modest, he played a part in two significant trades that helped shape the 1986 World Series. Originally drafted by the California Angels out of Troy High School, he opted to attend Cal State Fullerton before being selected by the New York Mets in the second round of the 1981 draft. After a strong showing in Triple-A in 1984, he debuted with the Mets later that year.
Following a decline in performance in 1985, this player was included in a trade to the Boston Red Sox that brought Bobby Ojeda to New York—Ojeda would go on to play a key role in the Mets' 1986 championship. this player spent 1986 in the minors before being sent to Seattle as part of the deal that brought Dave Henderson and Spike Owen to Boston, both of whom played key postseason roles.
He had brief stints with the Mariners and Twins, showing flashes of success in the minors but limited impact at the major league level. He retired after the 1989 season, having last played for the Portland Beavers. His brother, Jim, was also a professional player in the Twins’ system.
From Downey's sun to Titan pride,
He chose the books, let scouts decide.
Fullerton’s fields where dreamers grow,
A righty bat with power to show.
He rose with grit through minor lights,
A South Atlantic RBI knight.
In Tidewater’s tides, he made his stand,
A .313 swing, a call-up planned.
In ‘84 the Mets gave him the nod,
A taste of the Show, a grateful applaud.
Three RBIs, a spark, a glance—
Not fortune’s favorite, but given a chance.
Yet numbers dipped in eighty-five,
And soon a trade to keep dreams alive.
With Schiraldi, to Boston he flew,
Part of a deal the faithful still rue—
Ojeda shined in the World Series fray,
While he watched from Pawtucket’s gray.
Then Henderson came, another move,
And still his bat had more to prove.
In ‘87, he hit like flame,
Chattanooga knew his name.
But up with the M’s, it didn’t stick,
Baseball's gods can be cruel and quick.
One last stop in the Twin Cities' fold,
A .263 tale quietly told.
Portland’s dirt, one final stand,
Before he set the bat from his hand.
No headlines blazed, no Cooperstown,
But in every dugout, every town—
He wore the game like a second skin,
Win or lose, thick or thin.
A ballplayer’s heart, quiet and clean,
Part of trades that shaped a scene.
History whispered—not roared—in the wind...
And it whispered the name _____ ____________.
-
Johnny Lunchbucket
- Posts: 12484
- Joined: Fri Dec 28, 2018 8:02 am
Re: Challenge: Name every Mets SECOND round draft pick
Mark Christiansen
I remember the Puerto Rican infielder described above but no idea what his name was
I remember the Puerto Rican infielder described above but no idea what his name was
Re: Challenge: Name every Mets SECOND round draft pick
John Christensen, but close enough.
Another hint:
This player, born May 7, 1988, in Cleveland, Ohio, is a former right-handed starting pitcher who stood 6'9" and weighed 240 pounds. Drafted by the New York Mets in the second round (77th overall) of the 2007 MLB June Amateur Draft from St. Edward High School in Lakewood, Ohio, he signed instead of attending North Carolina State. Noted for his size and a fastball reaching 92-93 mph with a solid curveball, this player was a high school All-American and ranked among the Mets' top prospects from 2008 to 2010 by Baseball America (12th, 13th, and 18th, respectively). Over five minor league seasons (2007-2011) with Mets affiliates, he pitched 473.2 innings across 104 games, posting a 22-32 record, 4.60 ERA, and 333 strikeouts with a 1.50 WHIP. His best season was 2008 with the Savannah Sand Gnats (Low-A), going 9-8 with a 4.43 ERA over 120 innings. Injuries, including a 2009 knee surgery for a torn meniscus, and inconsistency hampered his progress, as he never advanced beyond High-A St. Lucie. In 2009, he pitched in the Arizona Fall League, recording a 2.45 ERA in 14.2 relief innings. this player faced setbacks, including a 50-game suspension for drug use in 2012, after which the Mets released him. He later pitched briefly in independent leagues in 2012 and 2015, struggling with an 8.16 ERA over 28.2 innings. His career ended without reaching the majors, marked by potential unfulfilled due to injuries and off-field issues.
And here's another poem to assist on a previously unanswered hint:
This player is an American professional baseball pitcher currently in the San Francisco Giants organization. Born on September 1, 2000, in Bellaire, Texas, this player was a standout at St. Thomas High School in Houston, where he earned All-State honors and was recognized for his strong performances on the mound. Drafted by the New York Mets in the second round of the 2019 MLB Draft, he signed for $2.15 million, forgoing a commitment to Texas A&M. He debuted with the GCL Mets, pitching eight innings with a 3.38 ERA before the 2020 minor league season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In January 2021, this player was traded to the Cleveland Indians (now Guardians) as part of the high-profile deal that sent Francisco Lindor and Carlos Carrasco to the Mets. As a Guardians prospect, he spent time across various minor league levels, including Low-A Lynchburg and High-A Lake County, but struggled with consistency and injuries. He also pitched for Team Israel in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. After being released by Cleveland in May 2024, this player signed a minor league deal with the San Francisco Giants a few days later. Despite his challenges, this player remains a developing talent with a high-velocity fastball and a promising slider.
From Bellaire's sun to stadium light,
A boy with fire in his arm took flight.
A Western Wall prayer, a bar mitzvah vow,
To chase the dream, he lives it now.
A star at St. Thomas, tall and lean,
With heat on the gun and a sharp-breaking seam.
All-State, all heart, with a lightning streak,
Striking out batters week after week.
Texas A&M was in his sights,
But the Mets came calling on draft night.
Second round pick, fifty-third call,
He signed, and let the fastball fall.
Through GCL’s fields he found his way,
But 2020 stole the play.
Then came the trade, a blockbuster name—
Lindor, Carrasco joined the game.
To Cleveland went the rising flame,
The ninth-best prospect in the Mets’ name.
Hillcats, Captains—ups and downs,
Learning the grind in minor league towns.
A WBC nod for Israel’s pride,
With the Star of David on his side.
He struggled some, found his control,
Still chasing that starter’s role.
Released in spring by the Guardians’ hand,
But dreams don’t die, they only expand.
The Giants called, gave him the chance,
To sharpen his edge and refine the dance.
Fastball, slider, a story in spin,
From Bellaire streets to battles within.
Still on the path, to bridge that gulf—
The fight lives on in ____ ______.
Another hint:
This player, born May 7, 1988, in Cleveland, Ohio, is a former right-handed starting pitcher who stood 6'9" and weighed 240 pounds. Drafted by the New York Mets in the second round (77th overall) of the 2007 MLB June Amateur Draft from St. Edward High School in Lakewood, Ohio, he signed instead of attending North Carolina State. Noted for his size and a fastball reaching 92-93 mph with a solid curveball, this player was a high school All-American and ranked among the Mets' top prospects from 2008 to 2010 by Baseball America (12th, 13th, and 18th, respectively). Over five minor league seasons (2007-2011) with Mets affiliates, he pitched 473.2 innings across 104 games, posting a 22-32 record, 4.60 ERA, and 333 strikeouts with a 1.50 WHIP. His best season was 2008 with the Savannah Sand Gnats (Low-A), going 9-8 with a 4.43 ERA over 120 innings. Injuries, including a 2009 knee surgery for a torn meniscus, and inconsistency hampered his progress, as he never advanced beyond High-A St. Lucie. In 2009, he pitched in the Arizona Fall League, recording a 2.45 ERA in 14.2 relief innings. this player faced setbacks, including a 50-game suspension for drug use in 2012, after which the Mets released him. He later pitched briefly in independent leagues in 2012 and 2015, struggling with an 8.16 ERA over 28.2 innings. His career ended without reaching the majors, marked by potential unfulfilled due to injuries and off-field issues.
- Untitled.png (28.37 KiB) Viewed 167 times
And here's another poem to assist on a previously unanswered hint:
This player is an American professional baseball pitcher currently in the San Francisco Giants organization. Born on September 1, 2000, in Bellaire, Texas, this player was a standout at St. Thomas High School in Houston, where he earned All-State honors and was recognized for his strong performances on the mound. Drafted by the New York Mets in the second round of the 2019 MLB Draft, he signed for $2.15 million, forgoing a commitment to Texas A&M. He debuted with the GCL Mets, pitching eight innings with a 3.38 ERA before the 2020 minor league season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In January 2021, this player was traded to the Cleveland Indians (now Guardians) as part of the high-profile deal that sent Francisco Lindor and Carlos Carrasco to the Mets. As a Guardians prospect, he spent time across various minor league levels, including Low-A Lynchburg and High-A Lake County, but struggled with consistency and injuries. He also pitched for Team Israel in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. After being released by Cleveland in May 2024, this player signed a minor league deal with the San Francisco Giants a few days later. Despite his challenges, this player remains a developing talent with a high-velocity fastball and a promising slider.
From Bellaire's sun to stadium light,
A boy with fire in his arm took flight.
A Western Wall prayer, a bar mitzvah vow,
To chase the dream, he lives it now.
A star at St. Thomas, tall and lean,
With heat on the gun and a sharp-breaking seam.
All-State, all heart, with a lightning streak,
Striking out batters week after week.
Texas A&M was in his sights,
But the Mets came calling on draft night.
Second round pick, fifty-third call,
He signed, and let the fastball fall.
Through GCL’s fields he found his way,
But 2020 stole the play.
Then came the trade, a blockbuster name—
Lindor, Carrasco joined the game.
To Cleveland went the rising flame,
The ninth-best prospect in the Mets’ name.
Hillcats, Captains—ups and downs,
Learning the grind in minor league towns.
A WBC nod for Israel’s pride,
With the Star of David on his side.
He struggled some, found his control,
Still chasing that starter’s role.
Released in spring by the Guardians’ hand,
But dreams don’t die, they only expand.
The Giants called, gave him the chance,
To sharpen his edge and refine the dance.
Fastball, slider, a story in spin,
From Bellaire streets to battles within.
Still on the path, to bridge that gulf—
The fight lives on in ____ ______.
-
Johnny Lunchbucket
- Posts: 12484
- Joined: Fri Dec 28, 2018 8:02 am
Re: Challenge: Name every Mets SECOND round draft pick
You'd think I'd remember the story of a gigantic 2nd round draft pick with a drug problem but I got nothing.
Re: Challenge: Name every Mets SECOND round draft pick
Today's hint:
This player, born January 23, 1985, in San Diego, California, is a former right-handed relief pitcher, standing 6'6" and weighing 230 pounds. Drafted by the Minnesota Twins (46th round, 2003), Cleveland Indians (13th round, 2006), and New York Mets (2nd round, 93rd overall, 2007) from UCLA, he signed with the Mets for $373,500. A standout at Grossmont High School, this player earned CIF Division II Player of the Year honors and led his team to a championship in 2001. At UCLA, he pitched from 2004 to 2007, compiling a 9-11 record, 6.10 ERA, and 114 strikeouts over 124 innings, with a notable complete game in 2005. In the minors (2007-2010) with Mets affiliates, he pitched 135 innings across 67 games, posting a 7-6 record, 3.00 ERA, 128 strikeouts, and 1.18 WHIP. His best season was 2007, going 3-0 with a 1.57 ERA in rookie and short-season ball. Injuries, including a 2006 finger injury and a 2010 sore arm, limited his progress, and he never advanced beyond High-A St. Lucie. In 2007, he pitched in the Hawaii Winter Baseball League, recording a 5.82 ERA. this player voluntarily retired, concluding his career without reaching the majors, marked by early promise but hindered by physical setbacks.
And here's a poem to flesh out this hint, which has yet to be answered:
This player, born October 7, 1994, in Las Vegas, Nevada, was a right-handed pitcher drafted by the New York Mets in the second round (48th overall) of the 2013 MLB June Amateur Draft from Basic High School in Henderson, Nevada. Standing 6'2" and weighing 200 pounds, he played in the minor and independent leagues, with a career spanning 2013 to 2022. Over seven affiliated minor league seasons, he recorded a 30-33 win-loss record, a 4.83 ERA, and 308 strikeouts over 454.2 innings pitched across 87 games, 78 of which were starts. His best season was 2016, posting a 7-4 record with a 2.92 ERA across three teams. This player faced recurring injuries, landing on the 7-day injured list multiple times, including in 2019 and 2022. His career included stints with various Mets affiliates, such as the GCL Mets, Kingsport Mets, Brooklyn Cyclones, Columbia Fireflies, St. Lucie Mets, Binghamton Rumble Ponies, and Syracuse Mets, as well as a brief time with the Atlanta Braves’ Gwinnett Stripers in 2022. He also played independently for the High Point Rockers in 2022, going 3-0 with a 3.27 ERA. This player was released by the St. Lucie Mets in 2020 and the Gwinnett Stripers in 2022. He briefly retired in 2018 but returned to play. His pitching stats show a 1.42 WHIP and a 2.96 strikeout-to-walk ratio in the affiliated minors, with limited batting contributions.
He rose in the desert where the heat holds tight,
Las Vegas-born, with a dream in flight.
A second-round pick with the Mets’ bold eye,
A righty with promise, raw and spry.
From high school’s glow to the pro-league stage,
He battled the climb, year by year, page by page.
With the GCL Mets, his pro path began,
A ball in his grip, a dream in his hand.
He rode the road through Columbia’s lights,
St. Lucie sunsets, long bus rides at nights.
Sometimes sharp, sometimes bruised by fate,
But never one to let doubt dominate.
He stepped away once—left the game behind,
Searching for peace that he couldn’t quite find.
Then back again, the fire still there,
Chasing what’s fleeting, but always fair.
He pitched for the Binghamton Rumble Ponies,
A name that echoes with minor league stories.
Not fame, not riches, but a soul that stayed,
Throwing through pressure that doesn’t fade.
Though the majors never fully called his name,
There’s honor in showing up for the game.
And though Tebow's name he would besmirch
You cannot forget ol' _____ ________.
This player, born January 23, 1985, in San Diego, California, is a former right-handed relief pitcher, standing 6'6" and weighing 230 pounds. Drafted by the Minnesota Twins (46th round, 2003), Cleveland Indians (13th round, 2006), and New York Mets (2nd round, 93rd overall, 2007) from UCLA, he signed with the Mets for $373,500. A standout at Grossmont High School, this player earned CIF Division II Player of the Year honors and led his team to a championship in 2001. At UCLA, he pitched from 2004 to 2007, compiling a 9-11 record, 6.10 ERA, and 114 strikeouts over 124 innings, with a notable complete game in 2005. In the minors (2007-2010) with Mets affiliates, he pitched 135 innings across 67 games, posting a 7-6 record, 3.00 ERA, 128 strikeouts, and 1.18 WHIP. His best season was 2007, going 3-0 with a 1.57 ERA in rookie and short-season ball. Injuries, including a 2006 finger injury and a 2010 sore arm, limited his progress, and he never advanced beyond High-A St. Lucie. In 2007, he pitched in the Hawaii Winter Baseball League, recording a 5.82 ERA. this player voluntarily retired, concluding his career without reaching the majors, marked by early promise but hindered by physical setbacks.
And here's a poem to flesh out this hint, which has yet to be answered:
This player, born October 7, 1994, in Las Vegas, Nevada, was a right-handed pitcher drafted by the New York Mets in the second round (48th overall) of the 2013 MLB June Amateur Draft from Basic High School in Henderson, Nevada. Standing 6'2" and weighing 200 pounds, he played in the minor and independent leagues, with a career spanning 2013 to 2022. Over seven affiliated minor league seasons, he recorded a 30-33 win-loss record, a 4.83 ERA, and 308 strikeouts over 454.2 innings pitched across 87 games, 78 of which were starts. His best season was 2016, posting a 7-4 record with a 2.92 ERA across three teams. This player faced recurring injuries, landing on the 7-day injured list multiple times, including in 2019 and 2022. His career included stints with various Mets affiliates, such as the GCL Mets, Kingsport Mets, Brooklyn Cyclones, Columbia Fireflies, St. Lucie Mets, Binghamton Rumble Ponies, and Syracuse Mets, as well as a brief time with the Atlanta Braves’ Gwinnett Stripers in 2022. He also played independently for the High Point Rockers in 2022, going 3-0 with a 3.27 ERA. This player was released by the St. Lucie Mets in 2020 and the Gwinnett Stripers in 2022. He briefly retired in 2018 but returned to play. His pitching stats show a 1.42 WHIP and a 2.96 strikeout-to-walk ratio in the affiliated minors, with limited batting contributions.
He rose in the desert where the heat holds tight,
Las Vegas-born, with a dream in flight.
A second-round pick with the Mets’ bold eye,
A righty with promise, raw and spry.
From high school’s glow to the pro-league stage,
He battled the climb, year by year, page by page.
With the GCL Mets, his pro path began,
A ball in his grip, a dream in his hand.
He rode the road through Columbia’s lights,
St. Lucie sunsets, long bus rides at nights.
Sometimes sharp, sometimes bruised by fate,
But never one to let doubt dominate.
He stepped away once—left the game behind,
Searching for peace that he couldn’t quite find.
Then back again, the fire still there,
Chasing what’s fleeting, but always fair.
He pitched for the Binghamton Rumble Ponies,
A name that echoes with minor league stories.
Not fame, not riches, but a soul that stayed,
Throwing through pressure that doesn’t fade.
Though the majors never fully called his name,
There’s honor in showing up for the game.
And though Tebow's name he would besmirch
You cannot forget ol' _____ ________.
-
Johnny Lunchbucket
- Posts: 12484
- Joined: Fri Dec 28, 2018 8:02 am
Re: Challenge: Name every Mets SECOND round draft pick
Joe Johnny Tweehchurch
Re: Challenge: Name every Mets SECOND round draft pick
Close enough, it was Andrew Church.
Since the rest are mostly all minor leaguers who never made the majors, do you guys just want me to dump the rest of the list here?
Since the rest are mostly all minor leaguers who never made the majors, do you guys just want me to dump the rest of the list here?
Re: Challenge: Name every Mets SECOND round draft pick
Sure, why not?
We still may remember some of those names.
Later
We still may remember some of those names.
Later
“The measure of a man is what he does with power”- Plato
Apparently one did. He can't get away from the tell.
I have never insulted anyone. I simply describe them, accurately.
Apparently one did. He can't get away from the tell.
I have never insulted anyone. I simply describe them, accurately.
Re: Challenge: Name every Mets SECOND round draft pick
Actually before I do that, does anyone want to give 2024's second round pick a shot? I imagine someone remembers since it was just last year.
Re: Challenge: Name every Mets SECOND round draft pick
The grand list:
| 2024 | Jonathan Santucci | P |
| 2023 | Brandon Sproat | P |
| 2022 | Blade Tidwell | P |
| 2022 | Nick Morabito | OF |
| 2021 | Calvin Ziegler | P |
| 2020 | J.T. Ginn | P |
| 2020 | Isaiah Greene | OF |
| 2019 | Josh Wolf | P |
| 2018 | Simeon Woods Richardson | RHP |
| 2017 | Mark Vientos | 3B |
| 2016 | Pete Alonso | 1B |
| 2015 | Desmond Lindsay | OF |
| 2013 | Andrew Church | RHP |
| 2012 | *Matt Reynolds | 3B |
| 2012 | Teddy Stankiewicz | RHP |
| 2011 | Cory Mazzoni | RHP |
| 2009 | Steven Matz | LHP |
| 2008 | Javier Rodriguez | OF |
| 2007 | *Scott Moviel | RHP |
| 2007 | Brant Rustich | RHP |
| 2006 | Kevin Mulvey | RHP |
| 2004 | Matt Durkin | RHP |
| 2001 | Alhaji Turay | OF |
| 2001 | *Corey Ragsdale | SS |
| 2000 | Matt Peterson | RHP |
| 1999 | Neal Musser | LHP |
| 1999 | *Jake Joseph | RHP |
| 1998 | Pat Strange | RHP |
| 1997 | Tyler Walker | RHP |
| 1996 | Brendan Behn | LHP |
| 1995 | Brett Herbison | RHP |
| 1994 | Sean Johnston | LHP |
| 1994 | *Matt LeCroy | C |
| 1993 | Eric Ludwick | RHP |
| 1991 | Bill Pulsipher | LHP |
| 1991 | *Marc Kroon | RHP |
| 1990 | Aaron Ledesma | SS |
| 1989 | Tom Engle | RHP |
| 1988 | Jeff Seale | RHP |
| 1987 | *Todd Hundley | C |
| 1987 | Pete Schourek | LHP |
| 1986 | Fritz Polka | C |
| 1985 | Scott Servais | C |
| 1984 | Lorenzo Sisney | C |
| 1983 | Dave Magadan | 1B |
| 1982 | Floyd Youmans | RHP |
| 1981 | *John Christensen | OF |
| 1980 | Jay Tibbs | RHP |
| 1979 | Jeff Bettendorf | RHP |
| 1977 | Mookie Wilson | OF |
| 1976 | Mike Scott | RHP |
| 1975 | Rod Boxberger | RHP |
| 1974 | Dwight Bernard | RHP |
| 1973 | Jackson Todd | RHP |
| 1972 | Craig Skoglund | OF |
| 1971 | James Kidder | 2B |
| 1970 | Gary Nevinger | RHP |
| 1969 | Joe Nolan | C |
| 1968 | Donald Dickerson | 1B |
| 1967 | Dan Carey | LHP |
| 1966 | Byron Von Hoff | RHP |
| 1965 | Randolph Kohn | C |
Re: Challenge: Name every Mets SECOND round draft pick
Thank you.
What do the asterisks mean on some of the names?
Later
What do the asterisks mean on some of the names?
Later
“The measure of a man is what he does with power”- Plato
Apparently one did. He can't get away from the tell.
I have never insulted anyone. I simply describe them, accurately.
Apparently one did. He can't get away from the tell.
I have never insulted anyone. I simply describe them, accurately.
Re: Challenge: Name every Mets SECOND round draft pick
Those were compensation picks.
How'd you guys not get Fritz Polka???
How'd you guys not get Fritz Polka???
Re: Challenge: Name every Mets SECOND round draft pick
There was no limit to his obscurity.
He was one of the names that made me go ooooh.
Later
“The measure of a man is what he does with power”- Plato
Apparently one did. He can't get away from the tell.
I have never insulted anyone. I simply describe them, accurately.
Apparently one did. He can't get away from the tell.
I have never insulted anyone. I simply describe them, accurately.